Apparatus for filling or charging containers with semisolid material



Patented Jan; 29, 1929.

UNlT'ED STATES 1,700,405; PAT T. OFFICE.

ALFRE O GUIDI, or GENOA. ITAILY.

APPARATUS ron- FILLING-R oHAReIusoou'ramEns wrrn sinvrrsomn MATERIAL.

' Application filed February .2, 1928. Serial No. 251,403.

This invention relates'to certain new and useful improvements in apparatus for filling or Charging containers and has for its primary object to provide apparatus especially constructed and designed for the handling of substances of a semi-solid nature'such' as petroleum products, ointment and heavy or n section tolllustrate a screw conveyor for dense lubricants.

'More specifically, the invention relates to apparatus for filling or charging containers wherein semi-solid material or substances of the type above set forth are extracted from a barrel or other container to be delivered to discharge nozzles for filling individual containers.

-A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the above type wherein the substance extracting part of the mechanism carries devices for 'elfecting agitation and gathering of the substance to a point for extraction and means for delivering the ex tracted substance to container filling devices,

provision being made for the return and excess amount of extracted substance to the original reservoir or barrel; I

With the above and other objects in view that will become apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel form, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawings and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is-a front elevational view'of the apparatus for filling orcharging containers constructed in accordance with the present invention, the apparatus comprising a roller truck, a part of the mechanism being shown moving the substance to the container filling Figure 21s a side elevational view of the apparatus. partly in section and illustrating the extracting screw conveyor for the substance;

Figure 3 1s a detail sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FigureQ showing the pivotal mounting for the extracting and feeding parts of the apparatus and also the tensioned check valve provided for the return ofanexcess of extracted material;

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 1; and

- Figure 5' is 'a detail sectional view taken on line 55 of Figure 2 showing the radial pin carried by the extracting screw exteriorly of the screw housing for agitating. and gathering the semi-solid substance to a point for removal by the extractor.

This invention .relates to apparatus for :filling orcharging containers with substance 'of a semi-solid charactersuch as petroleum products, ointments, lubricants etc., in which the substances are usually contained within a vat, barrel or other reservoir, the invention comprising means for extracting the semisolid substance from the storage re'eptacle and means for delivering the extracted substance to filling or charging devicesfor containers, this apparatus being supported-upon a rolling truck frame so that the apparatus can be moved into a position with relation to the storage receptacle. The truck frame comprises a skeleton structure I mounted upon rollers 2 and having a platform 3 at its upper end. The platform 3 of the truck frame carries a lateral extension for the pivotalsupport of the extracting and chargmg mechanism while the power device for such mechanism is in the form of an electric frame bars '7 that extend laterally of the I platform 3. I

The frame bars 7 that project laterally of "the platform. 3 carry bearings 8 that receive the bearing shafts 9 and 10 carried by the casing .6 at diametrically opposite sides thereof -asv clearly illustrated in Figure 3.

The casing 6 is pivotally mounted to permit movement of the tubular casing 4 so that the lower end of thetubular casing can be swung upwardly to pass over the upper edge of'a barrel'or other receptacle during the posi- -tioning of the apparatus into its operative relation with respect to the barrel or recepshaft that is of similar configuration in cross-section. The freeend of the latch} arm ll-is engaged with the lug 13 on the adjacent bearing 8 and is retained in engagement therewith by the screw pin,14. fWhen the latch arm 11 is engaged with the end extension 10 of the bearing shaft 10,, the casing 6 I is retained in a" rigid condition against pivotal movement- The tubular casing 4 incloses a spiral ex tract-ing conveyor 1n the fornrof a screw 15,

'.the shaft 16 of which extends upwardly through'the casing 6, the upper end of the shaft- 16 passing.through the bearing 17 carried by the top wall of the casing 6 while the lower end 'of the shaft 16 as shown in Figures 2 and 5 is fixed to a center bearing 18 carrying' radial spider arms 19 disposed'below the lower edge.' f-,-the tubular casing 4 with a sleeve 20 atthe outer end of the spider arm 1 vthat incloses the lower end of the tubular casing 4 to constitute a rotatable'bearing for I the lower end of the shaft 16.- -The tubular casing 4'is open at its lower end while the sleevef20, rotatable with the screw and enclosing the lower end ofth'e tubular casing 4, carries diametrically opposite radial arms 21 respectively, reversely curved in opposite directions to effect agitation of -t he-sub= stance and alsogathering of the substance 1 to a point ad acent thelower open end of the ,tubular casing 4. The upper end of the tubular casing communicates with the casing'dand the semi-solid substance extracted from' la receptacle is moved upwardly through the tubular casing 4-into thecasing 6 'which forms a collection chamber.

' filling of individual containers.

The horizontally disposed tubular casing 5 has a spiral screw conveyor 22 mounted therein, the conveyor shaft'23 being supported at its "opposite ends in bearings 24 as shown in Figures 1 and 3. The outer end of the tubular casing 5 has a tubular elbow 25 adjustablemountedthereon, the lower outer 'end of the elbow 25carrying a filling head 26 provided with a. plurality of discharge noz-- zles 27 controlled by valves 28 to effect the A bevel'gear wheel 29is fixed to the shaft 16 Within the casing 6 and constantly meshes with the bevel gear 30 fixed to the adjacent end of the shaft 23. .The'driving means for the extracting and charging screw cpnveyors comprises the electric motor 31 .mounted v upon the platform 3 thatis operatively en'- gaged with the upper end of the shaft A bracket bearing 32 is secured to the top wall I of the casing 6 and rotatably supports ,the shaft 33 that hasa bevel gear" 34 upon one end'thereof that meshes with thebevel gear 35 upon the upper end of the shaft 16. The p other end of the shaft 33 carries a relatively large gear wheel 36 that meshes with the pinion 37 onthe shaft of the-motor 31. t

The tubular casing 4 has its lower end disposed within .a receptacle containing the semi-solid substance that is .to be'packaged and the. screw conveyor 15 or extractor-is -'rot at;ed through its train or gearing c'onnection with the motor 31. The radial arms 21 .are rotatable with the shaft 16 to agitate-the substance and also for gathering the same toward the lower open endof the tubular casing 4. The semi-solid substance iseleva ted a in thetubular casing 4 and discharged into the receptacle 6 which constitutes a collection chamber, and the substance is then delivered by the screw-conveyor 22 to the charging stance into containers and the flow-of the head 26. The nozzles 27 discharge the subsubstance tlierethrough is controlled by the valve 28:

It is'possible to continuously o crate the machine when the valves 28 are s ut off by providing for the. automatic-return to the main receptacle' of the lexcess' amount of semi-solid substance re'c'eiveinn the collection chamber'G. ris'sliowniifill igure3, the I casing 6-is provided with" the 'partition 38 disposedxat one side of the open upper end of the tubular casing 4 with a valve opening 39 therein that is closed by the plate; valve tition 38, orming in the. casing 6,, a return chamber 42.? The bottom-wall of the return chamber 42 has a depending spout 43 adjacent the tubular casingf4 for returning'the 3 which is'spring pressed as'at 41,' the parexcess extracted substance to the main receptacle. Then the valves 28 are shut 01f, and the motor 31 continues to operate the extractor and charging'conveyors, the sub-'- stance' filling the tubularcasings 4 and 5 and the casing 6 or collection chamber, will by pressure open the valve 40 against the tension of the spring 41 to permit the escape ofthe substance through the valve opening 39 into the return chamber 42 to be discharged through the spout 43 to the main receptacle.

From the above. detailed description of the invention, it is believed that the'con struction and operation thereof will at once be apparent, and while there is herein shown and i'described theprefer'red embodiment of theinventiomit is nevertheless to beunderstood that minor changes may be made therein. without. departing from the' spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. a What I claim as new is l. Means' "for packaging semi-solid sub-' stances, wherein the substance is transferred from a supply receptacle to a device for filling'containers, comprising a pair of tubular casings angularly disposed to each other, a collection chamber between the casings, a

screw conveyorin each casing for extracting the substance from the supply receptacle and delivering the same to a filling head, means for operating the conveyors, a pivotal support for the casings, and meansfor holding the casings against pivotal movement.

2. Means for packaging semi-solid substances, wherein the substance is transferred from a supply receptacle to a device for fill-- ing containers, comprising a pair of tubular casings angularly disposed to each other, a

collection chamber between the casings a screw conveyor in each casing for" extract ing the substance from the supply receptacle and delivering the same to a filling-head, a roller truck supporting the casings, operative connections between the conveyors, a

pivotal support for the casings, and means for holding the casings against pivotal movement.

' 3. Means for packaging semi-solid substances, wherein the substance is transferred from a supply receptacle to adevice for fill: ing containers, comprising a-pair of tubular casings angularly disposed to each other, a v collection chamber between the casings, a

screw conveyor'in each casing for extracting the substance from the supply receptacle and delivering the same to a filling head, means for operating theconveyors, and a tensioned valve controlled return spout in the collection chamber for excess substance collection chamber for excess substance received therein.-

5.1'Means for packaging semi-solid substances, wherein the' substance is transferred x from a supply receptacle to a device for filling containers, comprising a pair of tubular casings angularly dlsposed to each other, a collectlon chamber between the casings, a

screw conveyor in each casing for extracting the-substance from the supply receptacle and delivering the same to a filling head, means for operating the. conveyors, a pivotal support for the casings, means for bolding the casings against pivotal movement, and a tensioned valve controlled return spout in the collection chamberfor excess substance received therein.

6. Means for packaging semi-solid substances, wherein the substance is transferred from a supply receptacle to' a device for fill-' ing' containers, comprising a pair of tubular casingsangularly disposed toeach other, a collection chamber between the casmgs, a

screw conveyor in each casing for extracting the substanc'efrom the supply receptacle and delivering the same to'a filling head, a roller trucksupporting the casing, operative connections between the conveyors, a pivotal support for the casings, means for holding the casings against pivotal movement, and

atensioned valve controlled return spent in the collection chamber for excess substanc'ejreceived thereinI I "7. Means for packaging semi-solid sub- 1 stances, wherein the substance is transferred from -a supply receptacle to a.device for fillingcontainers,- comprisinga pair of screw conveyors arranged at right angles to each other for the extraction of asemi-solid substance from the supply receptacle and delivery thereof to a filling head, a valve controlled filling headat the outer end of the delivery conveyor, each screw conveyor hav-' inga shaft geared together, and a power device engaged with one of saidshafts, a tubular, casing enclosing each screw conveyor, a collection chamber ,forming communication between adjacent ends of the tubular casing and housingthe gear connections between the two-shafts, trunnionsupports for the colm0 lection chamber to permit pivotal movement ofthe'tubular casing, and means for holdlng the casings andcollection chamber against-' pivotal movement.

8. Means forpackaging semi-solid subi stances, wherein the-substance is transferred from a supply receptacle to a device for filling containers, comprising a pair of screw conveyors arranged at right angles to each other for the extraction of a semi-solid substance from the supply receptacle and delivery'thereof to a filling head, a valve controlled fillinghead at the outer end of the deliver conveyor, each screwconveyor having a s aft geared together, a power device 15 engaged with one of" said shafts, atubular casing enclosing each screw conveyor, a collection chamberforming communication between adjacent ends of the tubular casing and housing the gear connections between the two shafts, a partition in the collection chamber, and a valved controlled opening in the partition to permit the return of excess substance gathered in the collection chamber, to be retur'ned to the supply receptacle.

' 9. Means for. packaging semi-solid sub-' stances, wherein the substanceis transferred from a supply receptacle to a device forfilling containers, comprisin a pair of screw conveyors arranged at rig t angles to .each

other for-the extraction of a semi-solid substance from the supply receptacle and de-.

. livery thereof t-o-a filling head, a valve controlled filling head at the outer end. of the delivery conveyor, each screw conveyor hav ing a swift geared together, apower device engagedwith one of said shafts, a tubular casmg enclosing each screw conveyor, a collection chan'lber forming'coinmunication be- "10 tween adjacent ends of the tubular casing and housing the gear connections between the twoshafts, trunnion supports for the collection chamber to permit pivotal movementof the tubular casing, means for holdmg 'the' casings and collection chamber against pivotal movement, apartition in the collection chamber, and a valved controlled opening in the partition to permit the return" of'excess substance gathered in the collection chamber to be returnedto the supply receptacle. 4 r

10. .Means for packaging "semi*solid substances, wherein the substance is transferred froma supply receptacle to device for fill-' ing containers, comprising a palr of screw.v

conveyors arranged at right angles to each other for the extraction of a semi-solid sub I stance from the supply. receptacle and dedel very conveyor,each screw conveyor hav- -liv ery thereof to a filling head, a valve controlled filling head at the outer end of the ing a shaft geared together, a power device engaged withoneof said shafts, a tubular casing enclosing each screw conveyor, a collectionchamber forming commun cation between adjacent ends of the tubular casing engaged and housing the gear connections between the two shafts-the lower endof the shaft of the; extractor conveyor having a spider bearing, a sleeve fixed to the spider and enclosing the lower end of sides thereof.

11. -Meansfor packaging semi- 551116 subp stances, wherein thesubstance is transferred from a supply receptacle to a device for other for the extraction of a semi-solid substance from the supply receptacle and de-,

liverythe'i'eof to a filling head, a valve controlled; filling head'at the outer end of the delivery. conveyor, each screw. conveyor having a shaft gearedto'gethen-a power device with one of said shafts, a tubular casing enclosing'each screw] conveyor, a c0llection chamber forming communication" be- 40 the tubular casing and radial arms on the sleevevat diametricallyopposite 111g containers, comprising a-pair of screw conveyors arranged at'right angles'to ,each

tween adjacent "ends of; the tubular casing and housing thegear connections betweenthe two shafts, trunnionsupp'orts for the GlJIDIALFBlQDO, j p 

